Wearable pack

ABSTRACT

A pack for wearing around the waist, that may include a shoulder strap or a leg strap. The wearable pack includes a waist belt and a tool pouch that has at least one carrying component. The tool pouch detachably joins to the waist belt with first and second suspending connectors that include a fastener component mounted on the belt and a member connected to the pouch and the fastener component. The members diverge upwardly from one another from the pouch to their respective fastener components. The present invention provides a system for attaching the tool pouch to the waist belt with maximum stability. The present invention includes a tool pouch that is further attachable to either a shoulder strap or a leg strap. This provides a triangular attachment that helps to stabilize the pouch and distribute the weight of the pouch.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/370,840 entitled “Pack” filed on Apr. 8, 2002, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to packs used for carrying items such as tools, and in particular, packs for attaching to waist belts, shoulder straps, or leg straps. In general, wearable packs may be used for construction, law enforcement, hiking, or other recreational activities. The present invention enables the wearer to hold multiple tools in a pouch secured to a waist belt. The prior art fails to provide a system for attaching a pouch to a waist belt with maximum stability. With prolonged use, the prior art wearable packs may not provide enough support and stability to the wearer which may lead to pain and discomfort. Conventional packs may cause muscle strain if the weight of the pack is isolated on a small portion of the wearer's body. Prior art waist packs do not seek to distribute the weight of the pack across the waist belt. Further, the prior art fails to provide the versatility of a wearable pack that is attachable to both a waist strap and a shoulder strap.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0003] In one embodiment of the invention, a wearable pack is provided including a waist belt, a tool pouch having at least one carrying component, and first and second suspending connectors detachably joining the pouch to the belt. The connectors each include a fastener component mounted on the belt and a member connected to the pouch and the fastener component. The members diverge upwardly from one another from the pouch to their respective fastener components. The upward divergence of the members increases the stability of the pack when worn.

[0004] In another embodiment, the tool pouch further includes another connector for detachably joining a leg strap to the lower portion of the pouch.

[0005] In another embodiment, the present invention includes a wearable pack including a waist belt, a tool pouch, a shoulder strap, first and second suspending connectors detachably joining the pouch to the shoulder strap, and a connector for detachably joining the pouch to the waist belt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the wearable pack;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a front view of a tool pouch in FIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a small pack attachable to the waist belt;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrated on a wearer;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a large pack attachable to the waist belt;

[0012] FIGS. 6-9 show the front view of several different embodiments of the tool pouch; and

[0013]FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a tool pouch for use with removable carrying components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing”, “involving”, and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0015] The invention is a wearable pack that provides greater stability to the wearer. The drawings show one embodiment where the wearable pack 10 includes a pouch 20 attached to a waist belt 40. The wearable pack 10 may or may not include a leg strap, and the embodiment of FIG. 1 shows such a strap 60.

[0016] The pouch 20 is detachably joined to the belt 40 with first and second suspending connectors 30, 31. Each connector includes a fastener component 42, 44 mounted on the waist belt 40, and a member 54, 55 connected to the pouch and the fastener component. The members 54, 55 are arranged to diverge upwardly from one another from the pouch to their respective fastener components 42, 44. The members 54,55 are attached to the sides of the upper portion of the pouch 20. In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the members attach to the outer edges or corners of the pouch 20.

[0017] The upward divergence of the members 54, 55 away from one another and away from the pouch 20 increases the stability of the pack when worn on the wearer. This attachment distributes the weight of the pouch 20 across a greater length of the waist belt 40 and may help to eliminate undesired movement of the pouch 20 when secured to the waist belt 40.

[0018] The tool pouch 20 has at least one carrying component. The triangular shaped pouch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates one embodiment with three pockets 21, 22, 23 that carry tools of varying sizes. The term “tool” is used to encompass any instrument and/or accessory the wearer may use in performing his/her work. The present invention may be used in a variety of industries such as construction or law enforcement, and may be used for numerous recreational purposes as well. A “tool” may include but is not limiting to a hammer, drill, level, weapon, compass, binoculars, book, or pencil.

[0019] The suspending connectors 30, 31 may include members 54, 55 that carry second fastener components 34, 35 detachably connected to the first fastener components 42, 44 mounted on the waist belt 40 for facilitating mounting and removing of the pouch 20 on the belt 40. The members 54, 55 connecting the pouch 40 and the fastener component 42, 44 may be made in a variety of shapes from a variety of materials. In FIG. 2 the members are straps permanently attached to the upper portion of the pouch 20, however the members may be removable as well. While the figures illustrate the members 54, 55 as straps, the present invention includes members 54, 55 that are buckles, clips, rings, etc. Furthermore, the fastening components 42, 44 mounted on the belt 40 may be post and keyhole connectors, or any other type of fastener.

[0020] The waist belt 40 holds the pouch secure to the wearer's body. The waist belt may be adjustable to fit the wearer, and it may optionally include padding, particularly on its inner surface for added comfort. Additionally, the waist belt may be constructed from a webbing material to provide added flexibility, and it may connect with a side release buckle. The waist belt may further include additional support, such as a lumbar support to help facilitate proper protection when lifting and carrying heavy objects.

[0021] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the pouch 20 is joined to the waist belt 40 at the upper portion of the pouch, while the lower portion of the pouch is joined to a leg strap 60. The leg strap 60 provides additional support which is particularly beneficial when the contents of the pouch is heavy or bulky, or when the wearer's work involves substantial body movement. The leg strap 60 prevents the pouch 20 from swinging away from the wearer. Further, the leg strap 60 preferably is removably connected to the pouch. Similar to the waist belt, the leg strap may also be adjustable to vary to the size of the wearer, and it may include padding and/or webbing material, and/or a side release buckle. In one embodiment, the pouch includes a connector 26 for detachably joining the pouch to the leg strap. FIG. 1 shows the connector 26 as a loop or fabric sleeve on the pouch configured to allow the leg strap to extend through it and slide relative to the pouch. However, the connector 26 may also be removable clips, or any other fastener such as described above.

[0022]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The pouch 20 is secured to the waist belt 40 at the connector 26, and the first and second suspending connecters 30, 31 (connector 31 shown in FIG. 1) detachably join the pouch to a shoulder strap 50. The shoulder strap includes fastener components 30, 31 which are mounted at each end of the shoulder strap. Further, the pouch 20 contains members 54, 55 (member 54 shown in FIG. 1) connecting the pouch to the fastener components 30, 31 that diverge upwardly from one another from the pouch to their respective fastener component. FIG. 4 illustrates one side of the connection with member 55 and fastening component 31. Member 54 and fastening component 30 are shown in FIG. 1.

[0023] The shoulder strap 50 adds additional support and stability to the wearable pack, helping to distribute the weight of the pouch across the wearer's body. The shoulder strap 50 may be adjustable and it may include padding and/or webbing material. Additionally, the above described embodiment positions the pouch 20 above the waist belt 40 on the wearer. Conventional waist belts with a pouch are limited in that the pouch is typically level with or below the waist belt. The shoulder strap 50 allows the pouch to be secured at a position above the waist belt 50, which may provide the wearer with easier accessibility to the contents of the pouch 20.

[0024] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate additional packs 80, 86 that may be used with the wearable pack 10 of the present invention. Packs 80, 86 may be attached to the belt through fastening components 82 located on the pack and/or on the waist belt. The connector 82 may include clips on the pack, or a loop or fabric sleeve arrangement to removably secured the additional carrying components to the waist belt 40. In one embodiment, the pack has a transparent top 70 (FIG. 5) to enable the wearer to see through to the contents of the pack, and the packs may close with a removable closure system 81, including any conventional method known in the art, such as zippers and pull strings.

[0025] The pouch 20 may be configured in a variety of ways as shown in FIGS. 6-9. Pouch 101 in FIG. 6 shows two separate carrying components in a side by side arrangement. Pouch 102 in FIG. 7 illustrates one larger carrying component centered on the pouch. Likewise, pouch 103 of FIG. 8 shows one large carrying component, and the overall width of pouch 103 is wider than in the pouches of FIGS. 6-7. The angled sides 112, 113 of pouch 102 may be desirable when the pouch is worn on the front of the wearer, so as not to hinder movement of the wearer, and the shape of pouch 103 with its outwardly curved sides 105, 106 may be advantageous when the pouch is worn on the side of the wearer. Pouch 104 in FIG. 9 has an angled carrying component 114, that may be used as a drill holster and carries a loop or ring 115 fixed to the outside, that may hold an elongated tool such as a hammer. Pouch 104 further includes two smaller compartments 116, 117 adjacent to the angled component 114. These smaller compartments may be ideal for smaller tools such as nails, screws, and pencils. Depending on the type of tool, the location and size of the carrying components may vary. The tool pouch may also have one or more removable carrying components. The pouch 120 illustrated in FIG. 10 is for use with removable carrying components 122, 123, 124. The removable carrying components permit the wearer to choose the shape and size based on the tool to be carried. The carrying components may be attachable with clips, Velcro, or hooks, etc.

[0026] The wearable pack of the present invention also permits more than one pouch 20 to be worn on the wearer at once. Multiple pouches are attachable to multiple fastener components located on the waist belt 40. The pouch may be positioned with respect to the waist belt so that the pouch is suspended across the front of the wearer, on either side of the wearer, or alternatively, on the wearer's back. Further, a pouch may be detachably joined to another pouch.

[0027] Whether the tool pouch of the present invention is used with a waist belt and a shoulder strap, with a waist belt and a leg strap, or with a waist belt alone, the triangular attachment provides additional stability that conventional tool pouches lack. Furthermore, the versatility of the present invention provides the wearer with the ability to easily convert the wearable pack between the shoulder strap configuration and the leg strap configuration. However, both configurations include upwardly diverging members that connect the pouch to fastener components.

[0028] Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable pack, comprising; a waist belt; a tool pouch having at least one carrying component; and first and second suspending connectors detachably joining the pouch to the belt, said connectors each including a fastener component mounted on the belt and a member connected to the pouch and the fastener component, the members diverging upwardly from one another from the pouch to their respective fastener components.
 2. The wearable pack as described in claim 1, wherein the members carry second fastener components detachably connected to the first recited fastener components for facilitating mounting and removing of the pouch on the belt.
 3. The wearable pack as described in claim 1, wherein the members are straps permanently attached to the sides of the upper portion of the pouch.
 4. The wearable pack as described in claim 2, wherein the members are straps permanently attached to the sides of the upper portion of the pouch.
 5. The wearable pack as described in claim 2, wherein the fastener components are post and keyhole connectors.
 6. The wearable pack as described in claim 2, wherein the fastener components are snap-type fasteners.
 7. The wearable pack as described in claim 1, further comprising a leg strap, and a connector for detachably joining the pouch to the leg strap.
 8. The wearable pack as described in claim 7, wherein the connector for detachably joining the pouch to the leg strap is a loop on the pouch configured to allow the leg strap to slide relative to the pouch.
 9. A wearable pack, comprising: a waist belt; a tool pouch having at least one carrying component; a shoulder strap; first and second suspending connectors detachably joining the pouch to the shoulder strap, said connectors each including a fastener component mounted on the shoulder strap and a member connected to the pouch and the fastener component, the members diverging upwardly from one another from the pouch to their respective fastener components; and a connector for detachably joining the pouch to the waist belt.
 10. The wearable pack as described in claim 9, wherein the connector for detachably joining the pouch to the waist belt is a loop on the pouch configured to allow the waist belt to slide relative to the pouch.
 11. The wearable pack as described in claim 9, wherein the members carry second fastener components detachably connected to the first recited fastener components for facilitating mounting and removing of the pouch on the shoulder strap.
 12. The wearable pack as described in claim 9, wherein the members are straps permanently attached to the sides of the upper portion of the pouch.
 13. The wearable pack as described in claim 11, wherein the members are straps permanently attached to the sides of the upper portion of the pouch.
 14. The wearable pack as described in claim 11, wherein the fastener components are post and keyhole connectors.
 15. The wearable pack as described in claim 1 1, wherein the fastener components are snap-type fasteners.
 16. A tool pouch for use with a waist belt, and either a shoulder strap, or a leg strap, comprising: at least one carrying component; first and second members connected to the tool pouch for detachably joining said tool pouch to fastener components mounted on either a waist belt or a shoulder strap, the first and second members diverging upwardly from one another from the pouch to their respective fastener components.
 17. The tool pouch of claim 16 in combination with a waist belt.
 18. The tool pouch of claim 17 in combination with a shoulder strap.
 19. The tool pouch of claim 17 in combination with a leg strap.
 20. The tool pouch as described in claim 16, wherein the first and second members carry second fastener components detachably connected to the first recited fastener components for facilitating mounting and removing of the pouch on either a waist belt or a shoulder strap.
 21. The tool pouch as described in claim 16, further comprising a connector for detachably joining the pouch to either a leg strap or waist belt.
 22. The tool pouch as described in claim 21, wherein the connector for detachably joining the pouch to either a leg strap or waist belt is a loop on the pouch configured to allow either the leg strap or the waist belt to slide relative to the pouch. 